India increases Biofuel Production To Meet Energy Demands, Reduce Carbon Emissions
India is intensifying efforts to bolster biofuel production in its quest for sustainable energy sources to meet increasing demand and reduce carbon emissions.
During the recent G20 Leaders' Summit in New Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi introduced the Global Biofuel Alliance, which includes members such as the UAE, Singapore, Bangladesh, Italy, the US, Brazil, Argentina and Mauritius. The alliance's objectives include fostering cooperation and technology development to promote biofuel use.
India aims to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2070. This move is driven by the need to address challenges like high import bills, fuel price volatility, and energy security concerns associated with fuel imports.
The start of the Global Biofuel Alliance reflects India's commitment to cleaner fuels and provides a platform for knowledge sharing and technological advancements in the biofuel sector. This initiative is seen as a crucial step toward expanding biofuel usage to address global and domestic challenges related to climate change and energy security.
Biofuels, particularly ethanol derived from sugarcane, play a central role in India's biofuel efforts. The government has actively promoted the blending of ethanol with petrol in vehicles, achieving its goal of 10 per cent ethanol blending last year. India is now aiming to reach 20 per cent ethanol blending in petrol by 2026, aiming to reduce emissions from vehicles in highly polluted cities.
Beyond ethanol, India also produces biodiesel from vegetable oil and biogas from recycled cooking oil. Major conglomerates like Reliance Industries and Adani Group are making significant investments in biogas production, which is expected to streamline the industry's supply chain.
Despite these efforts, the production cost of biofuels remains a challenge. Biofuels are generally more expensive than fossil fuels due to high feedstock costs and nascent production technologies. Additionally, biofuel production can compete with food production and lead to water-intensive processes.
To address these challenges, experts recommend focusing on "second-generation" biofuels, which utilise non-edible parts of crops and agricultural residues, reducing competition with food production. Continued innovation, research, and economies of scale are essential to achieving cost parity with conventional fuels.
